The nights are drawing in and there’s a chill in the air which can mean one thing… It's hot chocolate season! There’s nothing quite like cosying up with a hot chocolate and a festive film which is why we love the new DIY hot chocolate bar trend.
Building your own hot chocolate bar doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. All you need are the basics – hot chocolate powder, mugs and tasty toppings. You can create your bar from things you have at home, it’s the styling that matters.
To help you build your dream DIY hot chocolate bar we’ve rounded up some ideas to inspire you. We’ve included everything from rustic hot chocolate bar ideas to more modern setups.
Get ready because this article is going to make you own your own chocolatey beverage!
12 hot chocolate bar ideas
1. Festive hot chocolate bar
One of the first things that come to mind when we think of hot chocolate is Christmas! There’s plenty of ways you can adapt your current setup for the holidays. Swap plain mugs for festive ones. Add fairy lights and put Christmas toppings out like gingerbread syrup and cinnamon.
Clean and Scentsible's hot chocolate bar is an ode to the big man himself. We love the incorporation of Santa mugs (you can buy these above!) and Christmassy labels. They’ve actually provided a free download for their sweet little gnome labels!
2. Hot chocolate charcuterie board
If a DIY hot chocolate bar sounds a bit too permanent for you (or you want to take your goods on the go) a charcuterie board (you can buy one above) is a great option. They’re brilliant for sharing and sleepovers. Plus they’re completely customisable. The best charcuterie boards feature a range of textures, colours and flavours.
Number 2 Pencil has a wonderful blog post all about building hot chocolate charcuterie boards. Take inspiration not just from her set-up, but also from her flavour combinations.
3. Modern hot chocolate bar
Elegant and paired back, this hot chocolate bar by Ruffled Blog would make a lovely addition to any home. We love how they’ve repurposed jars, a coffee urn and pinecones to make this modern set-up. They’ve also included a free label download for you to print and add to your toppings.
4. Bar cart hot chocolate bar
Bar carts make brilliant hot chocolate bars. You can move them around and they let you keep your kitchen sides more spacious. Plus they’re ideal for non-drinkers and child-friendly.
Decorate your bar cart to match your aesthetic. Sugar and Charm have matched their hot chocolate bar to the cart, sticking to a gold and white theme. The greenery also adds a lovely natural element to the bar.
5. Vintage hot chocolate bar
Vintage lovers will be obsessed with Celebrations at Home’s silverware hot chocolate bar. The coffee beans bring a delicious aroma to the bar and make super affordable decor.
The thrifted shakers and classic syrup bottles add an elegant touch. We also love how they’ve repurposed a vintage toast holder into a waffle stand. Genius!
Bake some tasty treats for your hot chocolate bar!
Gather your ingredients, it's time to bake. Follow our gingerbread biscuit recipe and dip them into your hot chocolate.
6. Tiered hot chocolate bar
Tiered hot chocolate bars are the perfect way of adding height and saving space on your countertops. If you’re handy with a saw and nails they can be really easy to build yourself. Since they’re small they can be built from scrap wood too.
House Becoming Home takes you through building a DIY hot chocolate bar step by step. The three tiers can be used to store all sorts of different goodies. How about a tier for syrups, a tier for spices and a tier for powders? Or maybe mugs, followed by toppings followed by spoons and straws.
7. Rustic hot chocolate bar
For those of you with a more rustic feel to your home, this is the DIY hot chocolate bar for you. The Latina Next Door has created this nifty little bar which will fit snugly in the corner of your kitchen.
The metal stand and traditional mason jars give it a homely feel without looking too old-fashioned. You can pop a personalised sign-in or one which suits the season.
8. Simple hot chocolate bar
DIY hot chocolate bars don't have to be expensive. Domestically Creative has repurposed things from around the home to make a fun station. Bring your favourite mugs out and use a blackboard to make a festive sign.
If you don’t have a blackboard then use blackboard paint to turn an old piece of wood or frame into a DIY blackboard. This setup can be adapted for all seasons, just add different mugs and a different message!
9. Turn your shelves into a hot chocolate bar
Rather than buying or building a new bar why not use what you already have? Dressers, shelves and display cabinets all make fab hot chocolate bars.
White and Woodgrain have turned their cabinet into a Christmassy coffee/hot chocolate area. We love the pot of pods and the handmade bunting. If you want your own candy cane banner, sew our DIY candy cane decorations.
10. Woodland hot chocolate bar
For a more professional, masculine-style hot chocolate bar Beyond the Woodland provides plenty of inspiration. Their Etsy shop features these woodland-style labels which are available to purchase. The simple metal jars and slab of wood stand match the serious black and white labels.
Buy these hot chocolate labels from Etsy
11. Cottagecore hot chocolate bar
Match your hot chocolate bar to your cottagecore aesthetic just as Blesser House has. The foliage works beautifully with the black shelves and we love how this setup is practical as well as pretty.
There’s room for all the mugs, toppings and extras you need without it looking cluttered. Who wouldn’t want a slice of hot chocolate with their cuppa?
12. Hot chocolate caddie
This caddie-style hot chocolate bar is as handy as it is cute. You could build your own, upcycle an old one or buy one from retailers like Amazon.
P.S I Love You Crafts has upcycled a spare red caddie using a Circut machine. The glittering sign and snowflake tell the world there’s tasty hot chocolate inside, not tools! You could bring your hot chocolate caddie to work, Christmas parties or winter sleepovers.
Build your dream hot chocolate bar
These twelve hot chocolate bar ideas will look amazing in everyone's home. Repurpose the decor, ingredients and storage you already own and have fun with it. It doesn't matter if you’ve got a big kitchen or just a small shelf, there’s always room for winter treats!
Make some gingerbread for your hot chocolate stand!
Gingerbread and hot chocolate are the perfect winter snacks. Once you’ve built your DIY hot chocolate bar, pick up a gingerbread house kit and sip your hot chocolate while you make.
